Robert Sciarrino/The Star-LedgerMohammad Qatanani, left , the imam of the Islamic Center of Passaic County is kissed on the forehead by a member of his mosque after it was learned the imam can stay in the United States.

A U.S. immigration judge has granted permanent residency to a prominent Passaic County Muslim leader accused of ties to Palestinian militants.

"I believe in the justice system," Mohammad Qatanani said after learning the decision.

Qatanani, 44, was accused of lying on his application to become a permanent U.S. resident when he failed to disclose an alleged 1993 conviction in an Israeli court for assisting Hamas militants.

Robert Sciarrino/The Star-LedgerIsra Qatanani, center, the 17-year-old daughter of Mohammed Qatanani is hugged by her friend Noor Suleiman, right, while another friend Sereen Tartir, left, and a member of their mosque congratulates her.

U.S. Immigration Judge Alberto J. Riefkohl handed copies of his decision to Qatanani's lawyer, Claudia Slovinsky, and immigration officials shortly after 1 p.m. Slovinsky flipped to the end of the 69-page ruling, then turned toward Qatanani and smiled.

Photos by Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerMohammad Qatanani left, imam of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, talks to reporters this afternoon as his wife, Sumiah, spreads the word over her cell phone outside the Peter Rodino Building, where they were granted legal residency by a federal judge and will not be deported.

The imam's dozen or so supporters in the courtroom burst into cheers. Some wept. Qatanani, wearing a white robe and holding prayer beads, hugged his lawyer.

Prosecutors will consider an appeal, said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Harold Ort. The have 30 days to file, he said.

Qatanani, the imam of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, has been in this country for more than a decade. During that time, civic and government officials have hailed his outreach to other religious leaders.

During testimony in June, the cleric denied he was ever a member of Hamas or that he made a confession to that effect to the Israelis. In fact, during his three months in police custody in Nablus on the West Bank, he says he was never told he'd done anything illegal.

"The judge's decision is a victory not only for the imam -- but for all men of good will," said Aref Assaf, president of the Denville-based Arab American Forum.